Portland Women's Union/Foundation - Our Story

The Portland Women's Union - First 100 Years

Housing

Social Services

1887
Anna Lewis Hall established at 5th and Flanders to house 20 unescorted women at the turn of the century

1890
Anna Lewis Hall expands to house 60 women

1917
First Martha Washington Hotel for women constructed at SW 10th and Montgomery

1969
Campbell Court Hotel acquired at SW 11th and Main

1886
Started a night school for working women, teaching arithmetic, grammar, penmanship, bookkeeping. Young men clamored to attend.

1894
Established “traveler’s aid” for women arriving in Portland by train

1898
Started an industrial school to teach sewing, gardening and housekeeping

1904
Founded the “Women’s Exchange” providing hot meals for disadvantaged women & selling baked goods & linens

The Portland Women's Foundation

1983
PWU sells real estate, establishes charitable Portland Women’s Foundation, endows community agencies helping women achieve self-sufficiency.

1983-2008
Contributes over $3 million to social services agencies helping women build self-sufficiency

2008
Narrows focus to achieve greatest impact, funding only community housing and education programs for women

2010
Awards Martha Washington special impact grant to target significant community need.